Views sought on car parks in Burford and Woodstock

People can have their say on on how to improve Guildenford car park in Burford and Hensington Road car park in Woodstock.

The council's car parking strategy consultation runs from January 15 to February 12.

Opposition councillors have repeatedly raised concerns that the Lib Dem, Labour and Green coalition which runs West Oxfordshire District Council has a long-term 'hidden agenda' to introduce parking charges.

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Paid bays and parking permit areas were introduced in Woodstock town centre by Oxfordshire County Council in June 2023 despite strong local opposition.

But WODC reaffirmed there are no plans to introduce parking charges in Witney.

Councillor Tim Sumner, executive member for parking, said: “We are very proud of our free parking provision in West Oxfordshire, and I would like to make it clear that our consultation is not about charging for parking.

"We want to hear from residents, business owners, and visitors who use Guildenford and Hensington Road car parks to let us know about their experience. 

“It’s important to us that the car parks are fit for purpose, and that our strategy for parking reflects the needs of the people that use them, both now and in the future.”

The council carried out surveys on all its car parks in the district in 2023 to establish motorists' current stay times and usage.

Following feedback, it opted to continue trialling free all-day parking in Zone G of the Woolgate car park in Witney.

Previously motorists could only park free in that zone for up to three hours.

The trial has proved a success, said the council, and is now in the process of being made permanent.

Car parking signage has also been updated across the district to make it clearer to read and easier to park.

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As well as receiving customer feedback from this consultation, studies of the car parks in Woodstock and Burford will be carried out.

Counters are in place at Guildenford car park to provide a detailed insight into usage, the number of people parking, what the needs are for those people, and what might be required into the future.

Display boards will be erected in the car parks to make out-of-area visitors aware of the consultation. 

The 2023 survey updated the data which informed the council's previous parking strategy which was adopted in 2016.

To give your feedback, go to the public participation platform of West Oxfordshire District Council | CitizenLab (westoxon.gov.uk)